Belgium’s poverty line shame

18 October 2004

BRUSSELS – Eight percent of the Belgian population and 13.5 percent of families are living below the poverty line, it was reported on Monday.

The news comes despite Belgium’s place in the top 20 richest countries in the world, and its position at the peak of the United Nations’ development index.

The poverty line is calculated depending on the income of individuals and households.

It currently stands at EUR 600 per month for single people and a monthly EUR 800 for one person living with at least one child.

[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Belgian news